John H Sokul Jr

Practice Areas

Real Estate; Commercial Leasing; Land Use & Development; Retail; Acquisition & Disposition; International; Hotel & Hospitality; Senior Living; Opportunity Zones; Public Private Partnerships; Sale Leaseback; Sports & Entertainment

Career

Hinckley Allen - Executive Committee Member - Past Chair, Real Estate Practice Group - Past Chair, Retail Group - Partner (2007 - Present); Cleveland, Waters and Bass, P.A. - Shareholder/Director

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association - Natural Resources and Environmental Law - Probate Section - Real Property Section - Trust Law Section; Boston College Club; International Council of Shopping Centers (1995 - Present); New England Idea Exchange Planning Committee, Member; New Hampshire Governmental Affairs Chairman (1995 - 1998); New Hampshire Bar Association - Real Property Section - Probate Section - Trust Law Section; New Hampshire Commercial Investment Board of REALTORS (NH CIBOR); Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts (REBA); Realtor eCommerce Network; the Counselors or Real Estate (CRE), New England Chapter

Publications

Ten Steps to Take Before Accepting a Lease Guaranty from a Foreign Company; Practical Tips for Municipal Land Use Presentations; NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast: John Sokul & David Connolly of the Law Office of Hinckley Allen talk about Commercial Real Estate; The Top Issues Affecting Real Estate in 2022-2023; Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate in the Coming Year; Recent Market Trends in Suburban Office Parks in Northern New England; How COVID-19 Has Impacted Office Leasing; Commercial Real Estate Predictions for 2021

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Massachusetts; New Hampshire

Work Highlights

As a leading real estate attorney in New Hampshire and throughout New England, John’s strength and talent is explaining complex legal concepts in clear and understandable terms to both the clients he represents and the regulatory agencies he appears before. John is always well prepared and direct, an approach that makes him convincing, credible and likeable. Whether drafting documents, or verbally presenting, John’s candid and pragmatic advice is complimented by his persistent, patient and fair style;

John’s real-life experience and natural instincts support his solid legal acumen. He knows how critical it is to understand both sides of a matter, and how to uncover true motivations, when formulating effective negotiation strategies;

John’s creativity and results-oriented nature extends beyond solving legal issues. He encourages efficiency in all matters and routinely looks for the realistic opportunities available to his clients. He prefers to stand shoulder to shoulder with his clients as they tackle legal matters together, many of whom have worked with him for almost twenty-five years. John is a fierce and effective advocate, and his success is partly attributed to the fact that he explores pricing arrangements that align his work with his client’s interests and success. John’s winning combination of practicality, insight, frankness and loyalty continually distinguish him from among his peers.

Experience

John’s practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions and development. He represents owners, developers, retailers and investors in the acquisition, permitting, development, financing, leasing and operations of commercial properties and shopping centers throughout the Northeast. He has handled numerous complex matters involving the intersection of real estate, and municipal and state law, including public-private partnerships, development agreements, long term ground leases, impact fees, tax abatements, betterment assessments and exactions. John regularly appears before planning and zoning boards and other regulatory agencies in connection with commercial and residential real estate projects. John also has significant experience in negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements, leases, development agreements, restrictive covenants and related documents for complex commercial real estate transactions; John is a long-term member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, where he serves on the Planning Committee for the Annual New England Idea Exchange. He is also a Member of the prestigious international Counselors of Real Estate. John earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the College of the Holy Cross, and his J.D. degree, with highest honors, from Duke University School of Law. John practices regularly in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire and is a member of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Bar Associations. John serves on Hinckley Allen’s Executive Committee.

Education

Awards